Monday’s dreary weather didn’t stop the Nesquehoning community from honoring the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice.

The annual Memorial Day parade and ceremony was held by the Nesquehoning Memorial VFW Post 8008 despite drizzle and cooler temperatures.

The parade kicked off on the west end of town, stopping at two veterans memorials where a gun salute and wreath laying took place. The parade then traveled through town, ending at the VFW Post home, where the memorial service was held.

“Two hundred and fifty years ago this year, this great nation was born in defiance, in conviction, and in blood,” Sgt. Ian Acciarito told those in attendance at the ceremony. “From the first shots of the American Revolution to the conflicts and operations of the present day, generations of American service members have answered their nation’s call.

“Since that time, America has engaged in major wars, declared and undeclared conflicts, and hundreds of military operations worldwide. Across those wars and operations, more than 650,000 American service members have fallen in combat.

“All told, roughly 1.3 million have gone to their long rest. By the raw numbers, that is a staggering average of more than 5,000 service members every year for 250 years.”

Acciarito continued that Memorial Day is not all about the numbers, but of the names of those who gave all for their country, and their families.

“Today is about lives cut short, futures surrendered, and sacrifices made so that others might live free,” he said.

Other remarks were given before the service ended with the reading of the names of the Nesquehoning veterans who passed away since the last Memorial Day, a rifle salute and the playing of taps.

The events capped the Nesquehoning VFW’s week of veteran-related events.

On Wednesday, members of the Panther Valley JROTC gathered at the post home to help members place American flags on veterans’ graves ahead of the holiday.

On Sunday, members of the VFW also laid wreaths at the outlying cemeteries in the borough.